Smokeless powder and method of compounding same.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES A. DENTON AND JAMES PREAS, OF JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNORSOF ONE-THIRD TO ELLIOTT C. KIRKPATRICK, OF JOHNSON CITY, TENNESSEE.

SMOKELESS POWDER AND METHOD OF COMPOUNDING SAME..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 701,802, dated June 3,1902.

Application filed March 8, 1902. Serial No. 97,295. (No specimens.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, JAMES A. DENTON and JAMES H. PREAS, citizens of theUnited States, residing at Johnson City, in the county of Washington andState of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements inSmokeless Powder, ofwhich the following is a specification.

Our invention is designed 'for the production of an improved smokelesspowder which has all of the advantages of the smokeless powders now inuse and overcomes certain of the disadvantages therein, in that there isless danger of explosion by concussion or friction than inotherexplosives of a similar nature.

The invention resides in a novel composition of ingredients by which thepowder is produced and in the method of compounding the same.

Om-improved powder is made of the following ingredients in about theproportions named: chlorate of potash, two ounces; wheat -flour, oneounce; boiled linseed -oil, one-fourth ounce; chrome-yellowpowder, onedram. The chlorate of potash which constitutes the explosive base isfirst mixed with the necessary quantity of linseed-oil, and the two arethoroughly ground together. The chrome-yellow powder, which serves as acolorin g agent for the powder, is then mixed with the chlorate ofpotash and linseed-oil. Afterward the necessary quantity of wheat-flour,with sufficient water to make the mass of about theconsistency ofbread-dough,isadded. These ingredients when all are combined arethoroughly mixed and commingled with each other, and the mixture is thenallowed to dry. The same is afterward crushed or ground up intogranulated form to constitute a com mercial smokeless powder. Thisproduct explodes with equal force and penetrating effect to anyexplosive of a similar nature with which we are familiar, and the methodof manufacturing the same is simpler and can "medium.

sults in the final product as above set forth are due to the use of thelinseed-oil and the preliminary mixture of the same with the chlorate ofpotash which constitutes the explosive base. This oil serves to coat thevarious particles of the chlorate of potash with a film which protectseach of said particles against the abrasive and heat-producing effectsof said particles on each other. The danger of accidental explosion istherefore reduced to a minimum. The linseed-oil also assists thechlorate of pot-ash as an explosive It gives density to, protects, andpreserves the granules. It decreases the volume of vapor given oif byabsorbing the same. It aids in producing a quicker action of the powder.It aids in producing deeper penetration. It decreases the residuum fromthe explosion. It acts as a lubricant, thereby pared substantially asand in the proportions set forth.

2. The method of producing smokeless powder, which consists in grindingand mixing I chlorate of potash and boiled linseed-oil with each other,incorporating therewith wheatflour and water in sufficient quantities toob- J. A. DENTON. .LH. PREAS.

V itnesse H. H. DYER,

M. B. MOOARTT.

